For those who`ve embraced the delightful chaos of Donkey Kong Bananza, one truth holds self-evident: few things are as satisfying as the tactile thrill of obliterating terrain. Now, imagine a world where this primal urge to smash and shatter isn`t just a fleeting pleasure, but an endless pursuit. Enter Emerald Rush, the latest paid expansion for Donkey Kong Bananza, promising an infinite roguelike mode that elevates destruction to an art form, now available for a modest fee of $20 on the impending Nintendo Switch 2.
Emerald Rush: The Unrelenting Quest for Green Gold
This isn`t your average stroll through the jungle. In Emerald Rush, players are conscripted by the enigmatic Void Kong to embark on a frantic mission: collect a new, shimmering currency known as Emeralds. Much like Gold in the main game, Emeralds are your ticket to progress, but with a critical difference – speed is paramount. Void Kong doesn`t tolerate dawdling; you`ll face strict quotas, demanding a furious, minutes-long smashing spree to meet your targets.
Each round isn`t merely about raw collection. To truly maximize your haul, you`ll need to complete a series of special objectives. Picture this: one moment you`re tasked with dispatching a specific herd of enemies, the next you`re obliterating a colossal rock formation, and just as you catch your breath, you might find yourself needing to “high-five a rhino.” Yes, you read that correctly. These objectives are chained, pushing you to sprint across the map, adapting on the fly, and maintaining that exhilarating rush.
From Humble Beginnings to Destructive Dominance: A Roguelike Progression
Before you get ahead of yourself, aspiring destruction-enthusiasts, a word of caution: Emerald Rush isn`t an immediate power fantasy. While the mode requires completion of the base game to unlock, your hard-earned abilities from the story campaign are temporarily reset. This is the roguelike heart of Emerald Rush, ensuring that each new run feels fresh and challenging.
Fear not, for the jungle still holds its secrets. Scattered amidst the destructible earth are special bananas, each granting specific abilities. You might uncover the ground-shattering Turf Surf, the powerful Wind Up Punch, or even unique Bananza skills like the utterly ridiculous yet effective Ostrich egg drop. To keep things interesting (and delightfully chaotic), these skill-granting bananas are randomly reassigned every few rounds, forcing a constant re-evaluation of your destructive toolkit.
Persistent Perks from Prehistoric Finds
But not everything resets. Deep within the earth, ancient fossils await discovery. These aren`t just relics; they unlock powerful, persistent perks. Imagine boosting your Emerald collection rate, increasing the chances of finding treasure chests, or enhancing your destructive capabilities. The true genius lies in their stackability: collect multiple fossils of the same type, and watch their effects multiply, transforming you from a mere ape with a mission into an unstoppable force of nature.
Mastering the Mayhem: Barrels, Strategy, and DK Island
Navigating these dynamic, ever-changing landscapes requires more than brute strength. The expansion introduces enhanced barrel mechanics for strategic traversal. These trusty wooden vessels aren`t just for show; they offer quick fast travel across the map. While easier modes generously provide more fast travels per round, tougher challenges will test your resourcefulness with fewer, pushing you to leverage those hard-won perks for additional barrel spawns. The ability to instantly spawn a barrel allows for clever tactical plays, such as chaining them together to blast across vast distances, effectively creating your own rapid transit system.
Adding a significant layer of nostalgia and exploration, Emerald Rush also introduces DK Island. This isn`t just a backdrop; it`s a lovingly crafted homage to the iconic Donkey Kong Country overworld map. Familiar landmarks such as the cozy Kong Hut, a menacing pirate ship, a mountain shaped like DK`s unmistakable head, treacherous mine cart tracks, and even giant bongos await your exploration. Beloved characters like Cranky, Diddy, and Dixie can be found lounging around, adding a charming touch to this new hub. Keep an eye out for a clever Easter egg dedicated to Candy Kong – a nod that old-school fans will surely appreciate.
Beyond the primary objective, DK Island offers further incentive for exploration. Utilize your accumulated banana chips to unlock statues of the game`s indestructible characters. These aren`t just trophies; they serve to adorn and personalize your very own DK Island, a testament to your destructive prowess.
Donkey Kong gleefully smashing through terrain in Emerald Rush.
The Verdict: An Endless Banana Peel of Fun?
Emerald Rush is more than just an add-on; it`s a reinterpretation of what makes Donkey Kong Bananza so compelling. By infusing its core destruction mechanics with the addictive, replayable structure of a roguelike, Nintendo has crafted an experience that promises endless hours of primal, unadulterated fun. The $20 price tag feels justified for the sheer depth of replayability, the strategic layers added by dynamic objectives and stackable perks, and the generous dose of fan service packed into DK Island.
For those who believe that sometimes, the best solution is simply to smash everything in sight, and for veterans craving a fresh, challenging take on their favorite gorilla`s adventures, Emerald Rush is a compelling proposition. Prepare your knuckles, sharpen your wits, and dive into an unending quest for Emeralds. Just try not to high-five too many rhinos along the way.
Gareth Fenton 
Ellis Thorne